| |
A Rabbinical Tale
GOOD Rabbi Nathan had rejoiced to spend | |
| A social se’nnight with his ancient friend, | |
| The Rabbi Isaac. In devout accord | |
| They read the Sacred Books, and praised the Lord | |
| For all His mercies unto them and theirs; | 5 |
| Until, one day, remembering some affairs | |
| That asked his instant presence, Nathan said, | |
| “Too long, my friend (so close my soul is wed | |
| To thy soul), has the silent lapse of days | |
| Kept me thy guest; although with prayer and praise | 10 |
| The hours were fragrant. Now the time has come | |
| When, all-reluctant, I must hasten home, | |
| To other duties than the dear delights | |
| To which thy gracious friendship still invites.” | |
| “Well, be it so, if so it needs must be.” | 15 |
| The host made answer; “be it far from me | |
| To hinder thee in aught that Duty lays | |
| Upon thy pious conscience. Go thy ways | |
| And take my blessing!—but, O friend of mine, | |
| In His name, whom thou servest, give me thine!” | 20 |
| “Already,” Nathan answered, “had I sought | |
| Some fitting words to bless thee; and I thought | |
| About the palm-tree, giving fruit and shade; | |
| And in my grateful heart, O friend, I prayed | |
| That Heaven be pleased to make thee even so! | 25 |
| O idle benediction! Well I know | |
| Thou lackest nothing of all perfect fruit | |
| Of generous souls, or pious deeds that suit | |
| With pious worship. Well I know thine alms | |
| In hospitable shade exceed the palm’s; | 30 |
| And, for rich fruitage, can that noble tree, | |
| With all her opulence, compare with thee? | |
| Since, then, O friend, I cannot wish thee more, | |
| In thine own person, than thy present store | |
| Of Heaven’s best bounty, I will even pray | 35 |
| That, as the palm-tree, though it pass away, | |
| By others, of its seed, is still replaced, | |
| So thine own stock may evermore be graced | |
| With happy sons and daughters, who shall be, | |
| In wisdom, strength, and goodness, like to thee!” | 40 |
| |
